What is Allergy symptoms

Allergy symptoms depend on the substance involved and can involve the airways, nasal passages, and sinuses, skin, and digestive system. Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. Some severe cases allergies can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.

Allergy symptoms occur when your immune system overreacts to an allergen something that usually is harmless, such as plant pollen, dust mites, molds, insect stings or food. If you have an allergy, your immune system acts as if the allergen were dangerous, releasing a chemical called histamine that causes allergy symptoms.

If the allergen is something you breathe in from the air, your reaction will most likely affect your eyes, nose and lungs. If it’s something you eat, it may affect your mouth, stomach and intestines. Food allergies also can cause skin rashes or even asthma symptoms.

Allergy symptoms will vary depending on the type of allergen.

Mild symptoms may include one or more of the following:

♦ Hives (reddish, swollen, itchy areas on the skin)

♦ Eczema (a persistent dry, itchy rash)

♦ Redness of the skin or around the eyes

♦ Itchy mouth or ear canal

♦ Nausea or vomiting

♦ Diarrhea

♦ Stomach pain

♦ Nasal congestion or a runny nose

♦ Sneezing

♦ Slight, dry cough

♦ Odd taste in mouth

♦ Uterine contractions

symptoms may include one or more of the following:

♦ Obstructive swelling of the lips, tongue, and/or throat

♦ Trouble swallowing

♦ Shortness of breath or wheezing

♦ Turning blue

♦ Drop in blood pressure (feeling faint, confused, weak, passing out)

♦ Loss of consciousness

♦ Chest pain

♦ A weak or “thread” pulse

♦ Sense of “impending doom”

Severe symptoms, alone or in combination with milder symptoms, may be signs of anaphylaxis and require immediate treatment.

♦ A large area of swelling (edema) at the sting site♦ Itching or hives all over your body♦ Cough, chest tightness, wheezing or shortness of breath♦ Anaphylaxis

A drug allergy may cause:

♦ Hives♦ Itchy skin♦ Rash♦ Facial swelling♦ Wheezing♦ Anaphylaxis

Atopic dermatitis, an allergic skin condition also known as eczema, may cause skin to:

♦ Itch

♦ Redden

♦ Flake or peel

Food Allergies

Food Allergies and Food Intolerance Food allergies or food intolerances affect nearly everyone at some point. People often have an unpleasant reaction to something they ate and wonder if they have a food allergy.

Milk Allergy If you suffer from a milk allergy, strictly avoiding milk and food containing milk and milk products is the only way to prevent a reaction, which can include immediate wheezing, vomiting, and hives.

Egg Allergy Egg allergies – especially to egg whites are more common in children than in adults and reactions range from mild to severe.

Wheat Allergy If you are allergic to any wheat protein strictly avoiding wheat and wheat products is the only way to prevent a reaction, which can include stomach upset, eczema, allergic rhinitis, bronchospasm (asthma-like symptoms) and even anaphylaxis.

Nut (Peanut) Allergy If you suffer from a nut allergy, strictly avoiding nuts, including peanuts and tree nuts like cashews and walnuts, and food containing nuts is the only way to prevent a reaction.

Fish Allergy If your doctor is able to identify exactly which type of fish causes your allergies, than you only need to eliminate that species of fish from your diet. For the majority of fish allergy sufferers, this is not an option and all fish must be avoided.

Shellfish Allergy Learn about shellfish allergies and which foods to avoid.

Sulfite Allergy Sulfites are a group of sulfur-based compounds that may occur naturally or may be added to food as an enhancer and preservative. The FDA estimates that one out of 100 people is sensitive to the compounds.